Electronic access control for amusement devices

ABSTRACT

A remote revenue collection station controls access to and play of one or more pool tables. The remote station includes coin, token and bill collectors, non-currency card readers for debit, credit and special purpose fare cards, scanners for bar codes on coupons and the like, and a computer with communication capabilities for contacting sources capable of authorizing non currency payment transactions. The computer can be programmed to determine type and duration of play as a function of the payment made by a patron. One station can be connected to control a plurality of pool tables, either directly or though wireless communication, which could be optical or electromagnetic.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of my provisional application for letters patent, Ser. No. 60/556,397, filed Mar. 26, 2004.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly, game tables such as pool tables which are fitted with devices for enabling play such as controlling the release of pool balls.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art most applicable to the present invention is described, in detail, in the patent to Sundstrom et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,154, issued Apr. 12, 1994. That patent teaches apparatus which can program the parameters of a play-for-pay pool table, setting such variables as time of play, number of games and cost, among others.

Money-operated pool tables are provided in amusement centers, restaurants, pool halls, nightclubs, saloons, and the like wherein customers conventionally pay to play pool. Devices which release pool balls upon the insertion of a predetermined monetary sum through the use of coins or bills are usually installed so that establishment labor need not be burdened.

As shown in Sundstrom, et al, the most common control device comprises a slanted runway where the balls are held in place by a rotating cage until the cage is activated to release the balls into a holding area where the balls can be accessed. Activation is caused by the insertion of coins into a coin chute and manually pressing forward and releasing the chute handle.

As each ball is driven into a pocket during play, it is trapped in the cage and remains trapped until the cage is re-activated. The cue ball is separated from the other balls by size, or by use of an optical sensor or a magnet, so that it is not trapped. Accordingly, play may continue should the cue ball fall into a pocket.

Pool playing practices at money-operated pool tables have generated considerable interest in having the release cage remain activated for a predetermined time period, whereby the cage does not prevent the balls from passing into the accessible holding area. As described in the Sundstrom et al patent, improvements provide for time play or paying by the “rack”.

In addition, the controller may vary the price during predetermined time periods, such as during league nights or during happy hour. Variations in price or changes on the length of the play period for different times of the day or days of the week, depending on the type of play or number of people waiting to play are implemented in the Sundstrom et al apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device that programmably controls the release of pool balls in money-operated pool tables.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a programmable controller whereby the insertion of coins, bills of a predetermined denomination, bank credit or charge cards or coded cards, or the presence of a “virtual wallet” cell phone, the amount being programmably variable, will allow the user to select timed or rack play, thereby releasing the pool balls in a pool table for manual transfer for one or more racks of play or for play in which balls fall freely into the holding area until the expiration of a predetermined time period related to the consideration deposited.

In the prior art, an unlimited number of sets, a maximum number of racks that can be played, unlimited extensions of time, or a maximum amount of time that a game can be extended can all be provided by the control apparatus which normally, is an integral part of the individual pool table. However, revenue collection at the table to allow any of the several modes of play has generally been limited to coin or bill acceptors.

In the European Patent Application to Corrigan et al, publication no. 0 219 306 A2, published Apr. 22, 1987, a coin collection box was provided that was remote from the table and connected by a cable so that all of the payment and programming functions could be performed away from the table.

In the patent to Opsal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,591, a queuing system was taught which used a key pad for data entry so that each prospective player is issued a “ticket” which is presented to the machine when it is that player's turn to play. A display device is connected to the control device by a wireless link.

Vending and gaming machines have been provided with revenue collecting devices that are connected to the machines through both wire and wireless connections. Revenue collectors accept coins, bills and special purpose fare type cards and even conventional credit or debit cards issued by financial institutions. Examples of such applications can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,575,622; 4,669,596; 4,884,212; 5,038,022; 5,450,938; 5,866,890; U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,643 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,864 B1; and U.S. Pub. No. U.S. 2002/0183110 A1.

Pool tables have not kept up with the technology of the vending and gaming industries. What is needed, and what is provided in the present invention, is a remote revenue collector that can be wirelessly linked to a pool table that can control the many parameters that operators have found useful. These include single play, timed play, defined number of games played, and cost adjustments for time of day or days of the week. Additionally, special events can be programmed.

Such a revenue collector should be able to accept coins, tokens, paper currency, special purpose revenue cards, and general purpose credit and debit cards as well as cellular telephone or other communication devices capable of authorizing payment. All of these features are provided in the present invention.

According to the present invention, a novel revenue collecting device includes a credit/debit or other revenue card reader, a bar code scanner, an optical reader, a proximity sensor, a keypad or other data entry device, all of which are connected to a remote computer for accepting and processing payment information. Power to the device can be supplied by a battery or a wired or wireless connection to a power source. The use of credit/debit cards requires a link to a financial institution to process a charge and receive a confirmation of the charge.

A charge may be authorized by any wireless device which communicates with the financial institution, the confirmation being sent to the computer. The computer communicates with the pool table. The communication may take place using a wired or wireless connection, using modalities such as RF, IR, or ultrasound. Alternatively, the pool table, itself, may have a computer with the capability of accepting and processing the payment information without the need of a separate, remote computer, and would be capable of programming operation of the table for the various play modalities.

In other, alternative embodiments, a kiosk counter top or wall mounted unit would process revenue collections and remotely control multiple pool tables through either wired or wireless connections. Using the kiosk, a player would select a pool table, the mode of play, whether by time or games, provide revenue collection information using coins, bills, optically or magnetically encoded cards or other devices and receive acknowledgments of payment from financial establishments, whether in response to cards or a direct communication from the patron.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a revenue generating pool table that can accept various payment collecting systems including cash or charge cards and special purpose prepaid cards, wireless payment devices, coins and currency.

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, both as to structure and method of operation thereof, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be understood from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and they are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a idealized view of an amusement device system and the access control mechanisms operable therewith;

FIG. 2 is a view of counter top revenue collecting device;

FIG. 3 is a view of a kiosk containing a revenue collecting device;

FIG. 4 is a revenue collecting device adapted for wall mounting;

FIG. 5 shows a revenue collecting device adapted to be mounted on an amusement device; and

FIG. 6 is an amusement device enabling system operable in response to signals from a revenue collecting device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a system 10 which in the present example is a billiard parlor with a plurality of billiard tables 12 and a central revenue collecting station 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the revenue collecting station 14 communicates with the individual tables 12.

In some situations, a wired connection is acceptable and this mode is indicated by the cables 16. In other embodiments, communication can be through a low-power radio frequency (“RF”) link, indicated by the antennas 18. Alternatively, the communication can be by means of an infra red (“IR”) transmission system, indicated by the panels 20. It is to be understood that all of these links are intended to be duplex links for receiving and transmitting.

In operation, a patron accesses the revenue collection device and makes a payment, using coins, currency or a debit/credit card or, using a wireless communication device, arranges for payment, the confirmation of which is communicated to the collection device. It is also possible to utilize cards with information storage capabilities such as fare cards currently in use in many transit systems or even wireless payment authorization devices such as cellular telephones. The cards can be given a monetary value which can be decremented when used with an amusement device. When the patron has completed the purchase of access to the amusement device, a particular device, here a billiard table 12 is selected by the patron and enabled by the revenue collector 14. Through the communication link, information about the transaction is transmitted to the table 12.

At the table 12, a patron may have been given a verification code which allows the table 12 to recognize the patron as the authorized user. The revenue collector has instructed the table 12 operating mechanisms to permit a preselected mode of play for a predetermined time period and has enabled those circuits which the player can invoke to begin play. The revenue collector will consider the table 12 “busy” and, depending upon the customs of the establishment, make the table unavailable to others until the table has been released by its current user. At the conclusion of the play session, the table will again be available for a new play session.

In FIG. 2, there is shown a counter top revenue collector 30. The collector 30 can be used as the revenue collector 14 of FIG. 1. In a cabinet 32, are installed a plurality of revenue accepting devices including a bill acceptor 34, a coin acceptor 36 and a credit/debit card reader 38. A receipt printer 40 can provide a written record of the revenue transaction.

An rf antenna 42 permits radio communication between the revenue collector 30 and the tables 12. An IR window 44 covers an IR transmitter and receiver combination. An interactive touch screen 46 allows a patron to select a mode of play, a table and any other parameter over which he has the power of selection. Once the selections have been made by accessing the touch screen 46 and one or more of the collector devices, an internal computer (not shown) which may be remote from the revenue collector 30, is contacted and supplied with the relevant information, using either the RF or IR wireless connection, or, if available, a wired connection.

The computer, having received the information of the patron's selected options and confirmation that revenue has been received, sends information to the selected table 12, permitting a release of playing balls under the control of the patron. The table can be supplied with limited memory in which to store the mode or time of play for which revenue has been received or the computer can, at the conclusion of each game (if not scheduled for time limited play) allow subsequent releases of the playing balls until all paid for games have been played. Alternatively, the table 12 can signal the conclusion of each game and await a signal which would permit a next game to commence.

In FIG. 3, the revenue collector 30 is installed in a kiosk 50 but operates in substantially the same fashion described above in connection with the counter top device. Similarly, FIG. 4 shows the revenue collector 30 mounted on a wall 52.

While it has been contemplated that all revenue should be collected by a revenue collector remote from the amusement device, in alternative embodiments, each amusement device can be fitted with a revenue collecting system 60 that is in communication with a central computer (not shown) to keep track of the playing choices exercised by the patron and the revenue collected by the system 60. In such an embodiment, the communication link can also be used to process credit/debit card transactions, transmitting the scanned information to a transaction validating system that is in communication with the financial institution that authorizes debit/credit transactions. Authorizations to the institutions may also be originated from wireless communication devices, separate and apart from the elements of the revenue collector.

As with the revenue collector 30, the amusement device collector 60 includes an RF antenna 18′ and an IR source and detector behind a suitable window 20′. As shown, there is a bill collector 34′, a coin collector 36′ and a debit/credit card reader 38′. A small touch screen 46′ displays available choices which can be changed or modified by a selector knob 62.

Turning next to FIG. 6, there is shown the mechanism that captures the billiard balls at the end of each game. A ball collecting gate 70 is substantially as taught in the prior art. An actuating mechanism is triggered by an enabling signal and goes through an operating cycle which opens the ball retaining fence 72, releasing the balls 74, (one of which is partially shown in the gate 70) and then returns to a quiescent state, awaiting the next enabling signal. An electronic control card 80 is installed adjacent the table revenue collector 60 and has, in this embodiment, an RF antenna 18′ which is in wireless communication with the other elements of the system.

If unlimited play for a period of time is desired, the fence 74 can be held in the “open” position for the duration of unlimited play. Other electronic elements on the card 80 process information received from remote computers or revenue collectors. The same elements can also handle the processing of debit/credit card information.

Thus there has been described a system for the control of amusement devices with several alternatives for authorizing play based upon the receipt of revenue. Other modifications or variations will occur to those skilled in the art and, accordingly, the scope of protection should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

1. Apparatus for electronically controlling access to amusement devices comprising: at least one revenue collection means for receiving currency and non currency payment and generating signals corresponding to and representative of received currency payment; computer means connected to said revenue collection means and responsive to said signals for processing payment information to generate device enabling signals; an amusement device control mechanism connected to said computer means for receiving device enabling signals; at least one amusement device connected to said amusement device control mechanism and operable in response to device enabling signals from said amusement device control mechanism to allow utilization of said amusement device by a patron; and communication means connected to said computer means for communicating non currency payments received by said revenue collecting means to a payment source for verification and validation, whereby verification and validation of received non-currency payments can be acquired to authorize said computer means to process such non currency payments and to generate device enabling signals.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said amusement device is a pool table.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said revenue collecting means include a magnetic card reader.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said revenue collecting means include an optical bar code reader.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said revenue collecting means include wireless receiving means for processing revenue transfer requests.
 6. Apparatus for electronically controlling access to a plurality of amusement devices comprising: a revenue collection means for receiving currency and non currency payments and generating payment signals corresponding to and representative of proffered currency payment; computer means connected to said revenue collection means and responsive to said payment signals for processing currency payment information to generate device enabling signals; a plurality of amusement device control mechanisms connected to said computer means for receiving said device enabling signals; a plurality of amusement devices, each connected to a corresponding one of said amusement device control mechanisms and each operable in response to device enabling signals from its corresponding amusement device control mechanism to allow utilization of that amusement device by a patron; and communication means connected to said computer means for communicating non currency payments received by said revenue collecting means to a payment source for verification and validation, whereby verification and validation of received non-currency payments can be acquired to authorize said computer means to process such non currency payments and generate device enabling signals.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said amusement devices are pool tables.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said revenue collecting means include a magnetic card reader.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said revenue collecting means include an optical bar code reader.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said revenue collecting means include wireless receiving means for processing revenue transfer requests.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said amusement device control mechanisms are wirelessly connected to said computer means.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said wireless connection is an infrared connection.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said wireless connection is by means of electromagnetic radiation.
 14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said amusement device control mechanisms are connected to said computer means by wires. 